Islamabad Police confirmed the blast as an attack and launched an investigation. The condition of some of the injured is stated to be critical.
At least 31 people were killed and more than 150 injured when a massive bomb exploded at a Shia religious center on the outskirts of the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, on Friday.
Locals gather after a suicide bomber blew himself up at a Shiite religious center during Friday prayers, Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, in Islamabad, Pakistan. (AFP)The blast was reported to be a suicide attack. It happened during Friday prayers. Islamabad Police confirmed the blast as an attack and launched an investigation. The condition of some of the injured is stated to be critical.
Two police officers told Reuters the attacker was stopped at the mosque’s gate before the bomb went off.
Islamabad blasts: Shia shrines targeted, death toll rises | top pointThe blast occurred during Friday prayers at a Shia religious site on the outskirts of Islamabad. The death toll was initially reported to be 10, which has been raised repeatedly and now stands at 31, according to Dawn.Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Irfan Memon and police confirmed the blast as an attack and said an investigation was underway.Eyewitnesses told Geo News that the attackers first opened fire and then detonated the bomb. The main gate is at least 30 meters away from the Imambargah gate. When the assailant reached the main gate, the guards of the religious institution tried to stop him, after which there was an exchange of fire. He then ran at least 20 meters inside and blew himself up during prayers, the Geo report added.No one immediately claimed responsibility for the blast, but it is suspected that militants may have been involved The Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), or Islamic State group, has been blamed for previous attacks on the country’s minority Shia worshippers. Militants often target security forces and civilians across Pakistan. In November, a suicide bombing outside a courthouse in Islamabad killed 12 people.the president Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in separate statements condemned the attack and offered condolences to the families of the victims. Zardari said the targeting of innocent civilians was a “crime against humanity”, adding that Pakistan stood by the affected families. On the other hand, Prime Minister Sharif said that he has ordered a full investigation and said that those responsible should be identified and punished.Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also condemned the attack and asked the authorities to ensure best medical care to the injured.Friday’s attack occurred as Uzbekistani President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, who was on an official two-day visit, was attending a ceremony with Sharif. The Islamabad incident was a few miles away from the blast site.The latest attack comes almost a week after the banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA). A series of attacks in the insurgency-prone southwestern province of Balochistan have killed nearly 50 people. According to the army, security forces have killed more than 200 “terrorists” in response to the attack.Deputy Chief Content Producer, Shivam Pratap Singh is a digital journalist at Hindustan Times, with over half a decade of experience in various bits like politics and sports. He is interested in all things political and can be found traveling or reading when not working.Read more
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